Brakes Only Work When Using Manual Controls on a Curt Venturer Trailer Brake Controller

Question:

1987 Dodge Ram 150 PU A GOOD TRUCK: TAKES A LICKIN and KEEPS ON TICKIN. The brakes work only when the manual control is used. The brake lights and turn signals on trailer work fine. Please help!! THANKS

asked by: Tony M

Expert Reply:

It sounds to me like the red wire coming from your Curt Venturer Trailer Brake Controller # C74VV is not connected properly to the brake stoplight switch of your 1987 Dodge Ram.

In order to find the correct wire on the stoplight switch for the red wire to you need to use a circuit tester like # PTW2993, and find the wire that shows power only when the brake pedal is pressed. This wire is the one you will need to connect the red wire to.

I've attached a video of a brake controller being installed onto a 1990 Dodge Ram which is the same generation as yours, and will be very similar. If you skip ahead to around the 7 minute point it shows the red wire being connected.

I've also attached a help article on troubleshooting brake controllers.

If you perform this and find that it still doesn't solve your issue, let me know and we'll troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Charles S